The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted a video circulating on social media claiming that the Agency approved a herbal product that promotes smoking as “healthy”.
In a statement on Monday, the Director-General/CEO of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, affirmed that the product in question, marketed as Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), is not registered by the Agency, describing the claims as “entirely false and unfounded.”
Adeyeye recalled that an application for an “anti-smoke and lung detox tea” was submitted to NAFDAC’s Lagos State office in 2023 but was rejected due to its unscientific and dangerous health claims.
“The applicant was asked to provide evidence supporting the product’s safety and efficacy, but failed to do so. The product was never approved or resubmitted fo evaluation. As a science-led regulator, NAFDAC rigorously evaluates all food, drug, cosmetic, and chemical products for safety, quality, and efficacy.
“The Agency does not approve any product that lacks scientific validation or poses a risk to the public health, and strictly prohibits therapeutic claims for herbal products unless supported by clinical trials. Additionally, the use of organ imagery on product packaging, as seen in the video, is not permitted,” she stated.
The DG also condemned the “baseless allegations” of financial inducement in the video, saying: “While such claims are ordinarily ignored, the Agency’s Legal Services Directorate is reviewing these defamatory statements and may pursue legal action.”
Adeyeye urged the public to disregard the video and report suspicious products to NAFDAC via www.nafdac.gov.ng, email (sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or reforms@nafdac.gov.ng), or call 08001623322.
She reiterated the regulatory body’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of all Nigerians.
